Chemistry and biology of three representative gold(III) compounds as prospective anticancer agents

► The main chemical features of these compounds are summarised. ► These compounds manifest stability of the gold(III) chromophore in aqueous solutions at pH 7.4. ► The antiproliferative properties of the gold(III) compounds were analysed in detail. ► These gold compounds may act as strong inhibitors of the selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase.